Homeless Committee Meeting Minutes 01.20241
Minutes- Committee on the Homeless
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Committee on the Homeless Meeting
DATE: JANUARY 9, 2024
SUBJECT: MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE HOMELESS MEETING HELD ON
JANUARY 9, 2024
ATTENDEES:
Charlotte Tomic
Corey Narson
Tiffany Heckler
ABSENTEES:
Darren Cefalu Beatriz Hermann
Karen Edelstein Karen Fryd
Lori Bakkum
LIAISON:
Janay Guerrero
Agenda
I. Call to Order & Introductions
Charlotte Tomic, Vice Chair
Meeting called to order at 4:37pm. Attendance was taken.
II. Approval of Prior Committee Meeting Minutes
Charlotte Tomic, Vice Chair
Action: Item deferred. Meeting did not meet quorum
III. Chair and Vice-Chair Nominations
Action: Item deferred. Meeting did not meet quorum.
IV. Covid-19 Update
Janay Guerrero, Homeless Program Coordinator
The following update(s) were provided:
• No recent COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred since last meeting; no noted
concerns.
V. Lazarus Project Update
Janay Guerrero, Homeless Program Coordinator
The following update(s) were provided:
• The Camillus House Lazarus Project continues to provide services to Miami
2
Minutes- Committee on the Homeless
Beach.
• Two (2) referred clients have accepted routine medication services.
• Two (2) referred clients have accepted shelter placement, one (1) being
discharged from the program as he is stabilized.
VI. Miami Beach Police Department Update
Sgt. Jerome Berrian, MBPD Homeless Resource Unit (HRU)
• Police has observed a younger population of homeless in Miami Beach, as well as
in influx of people migrating due to colder weather in northern cities and states
• Observation of an influx of immigrants coming to Miami Beach and requesting
homeless services
• Police staff visited the Salvation Army and observed that it is a dormitory-style
environment and that clients are not mandated to shower upon arrival.
VII. Homeless Outreach Services Update
Janay Guerrero, Homeless Program Coordinator
The following updates were provided:
• The Homeless Outreach Team will be participating in the bi-annual Point in Time
Census, led by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, on Thursday, January
25th at 10pm. Those who are interested in volunteering for the census count were
encouraged to reach out to Janay Guerrero to inquire.
• The Division has received a proposal from Camillus House to increase the City’s
shelter bed count by 6 beds. This item will be presented to Commission on January
30th for approval.
• For this fiscal year (October 1-December 31st), the Homeless Outreach Services
Team has facilitated 101 shelter placements and 61 family reunifications
(relocations).
VIII. Future Meeting Location and Times
Action: Item deferred. Meeting did not meet quorum
IX. Follow-Up Items
Homeless Awareness Mural
• Corey Narson advised that the mural will not be moving forward at this time, as
the process must undergo several steps for approval. She also advised that if
any other Committee members desire to take lead and carry the item forward,
she will provide support and relay all information received thus far. If not, this
discussion item may be placed on hold until further notice.
X. Public Right to be Heard
• Valerie Navarrete, of the public, verbalized her opinion on changing the monthly
Committee meeting times to 6:30pm, as she previously recalled being suggested
in a prior meeting. She expressed that the Homeless Division begins working very
early in the morning and urged the Committee to consider keeping the meeting
schedule at the currently set time or to meet at an earlier time.
3
Minutes- Committee on the Homeless
XI. Adjourn
Charlotte Tomic, Vice Chair
Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2024 at 4:30pm.